Israel - A child dressed as Santa Claus kneels at the spot in the Grotto of the Church of the Nativity where according to tradition Jesus was born, as Christians gather for Christmas celebrations in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.

Israel - The Dome of the Rock is seen in the background as a Palestinian woman prays on the second Friday of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, on the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City.

India - Brides display their hands decorated with henna around a bride as she poses for her own photographer during a mass marriage ceremony in which, according to its organizers, 70 Muslim couples took their wedding vows.

Spain - A man rides a horse through flames during the annual Luminarias celebration on the eve of Saint Anthony's Day in the village of San Bartolome de Pinares, northwest of Madrid. Saint Anthony is Spain's patron saint of animals.

Ukraine - Clergymen of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate take part in a ceremony marking the 1030th anniversary of the Christianization of the country, which was then known as Kievan Rus', in Kiev.

Ethiopia - The faithful jump into the waters of the Fasilides Bath as part of a ceremony in which the waters are blessed by the priest of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church during the second day of Timket in Gondar, Ethiopia.

The different ways we worship

Religious festivals, rituals, and celebrations from around the world

The way we express reverence and adoration for a deity differs greater depending on our customs and our faith. Across the world, our belief in God or gods and how we choose to worship is defined by numerous festivals, rituals, and ceremonies.

Browse the gallery and follow the faithful with this pictorial guide to some of the world's most impressive religious celebrations.